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8 graduates, 98 children among those touched by local drug rehabilitation program

Sara Rhoades, standing at right, shares the story of her recovery during her graduation from the Logan County Family Treatment Court program. The court treatment program also celebrated its 10th anniversary Wednesday. (EXAMINER PHOTO | REUBEN MEES)

Sara Rhoades fought back tears Wednesday as she told a courtroom full of judges, child welfare officials and her family and friends how painful it was learning that she was about to lose custody of her only son.

She was in the grips of drug addiction.

But now, a year since being visited in jail by a Logan County Children’s Services caseworker, she has completed the rigorous Logan County Family Treatment Court program and has been clean and sober for 314 days. She has custody of her son Ayden, now age 3, and is expecting a second child soon.

“I have no doubt my mind is on my sobriety today,” she said during her graduation ceremony, “and I owe it not only to treatment court but my family who was there to support me.”

Ms. Rhoades is the most recent success story in the court’s 10-year history, which was celebrated in conjunction with the graduation ceremony.

“This is the most wholesome, 360-degree impact the court can have on families,” said Judge Michael L. Brady, who helped plan for and implement the treatment court and has presided over it since its inception.

“The goal is for these people to not be dependent on government, but to be independent productive citizens. Sometimes it doesn’t work and I have to take custody away from a parent, or someone dies.”

But the reward comes from seeing the change in the lives of people like Ms. Rhoades.